Web Sources

As the blogroll was becoming to long….below is a list of resources noted in different blogs.  This list will be updated as resources are included in a new blog.   Please note that as close as possible, I have used the description provided by the individual websites.

Support Groups

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) - Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
• Co-Dependent Anonymous (CODA) – Co-Dependents Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships.
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – Narcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts.
• Mother-Daughter Project – The Mother-Daughter project is a community of women and girls dedicated to discovering and sharing ways mothers and daughters can stay close and thrive together through adolescence and beyond.
• Willows in the Wind – Willows in the Wind is a San Francisco Bay Area based peer-to-peer parent support group for families of teens who are in residential care.  They hold monthly face to face meetings and have regular guest speakers.

Accreditation Organizations

• JCAHO -The Joint Commission, formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), is a private sector United States based non-profit organization.   It is the best known of a large number of active healthcare accreditation groups in the US.
• www.coanet.org – Council on Accreditation is an international child-and family-service and behavioral healthcare organization that accredits 38 different service areas, including substance abuse treatment, and more than 60 types of programs.
• www.carf.org – Commision on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International is an independent accreditor of human services providers in areas including behavioral health, child and youth services, and employment and community services

Government Agencies

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – The FTC has a document with questions parents should ask when considering a residential treatment center. In addition, if you want to consider a program that is unlicensed, the FTC recommends that you contact the following organizations:
  • National Association of Attorney Generals – (NAAG)
  • Better Business Bureau – (BBB)
  • Local Consumer Protection Office – by State
• CDC’s list of state Mental Health Agencies – This website provides information on mental health agencies and private organizations in each state.
• U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet: “Behavior Modification Facilities” – This webpage provides information on the role of the US Dept. of State should you be considering overseas placement.

Associations/Alliances

• Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA) – The IECA is an association of educational consultants who assist students and families with educational decision-making.  These consultants specialize in a variety areas including helping with college admissions, at risk teens, learning disabilities, etc..
• National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) -NEDA is dedicated to providing education, resources and support to those affected by eating disorders.
• National Association of Therapeutic Boarding Schools (NATSAP) – NATSAP serves as a resource for programs and professionals assisting young people dealing with emotional and behavioral difficulties.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – NAMI is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.  They focus on three cornerstones of activity that offer hope, reform, and health: Awareness, Education, and Advocacy.
• A START (The Alliance for the Safe, Therapeutic and Appropriate use of Residential Treatment).  A START is an organization of mental health professionals, parents, advocates, and young adults who came together in 2005 amidst growing concern about mistreatment of youth in residential programs.   They promote protection for children and families and provide information about residential programs and community based alternatives.   

Research

• Institute for Addiction Study – The Institute For Addiction Study is a center of learning and training where innovative strategies relating to addiction are developed and shared that foster the acceptance of addicts as full and valued members of society.  They also have an addiction web resource library  http://www.addictiondoctor.com/library.html#
• Media Educational Foundation (MEF) -The Media Education Foundation produces and distributes documentary films and other educational resources to inspire critical reflection on the social, political, and cultural impact of American mass media.  They have various films on the impact of the media on males and females (body image, etc.).

Other

• Great Schools – Special Needs Students – Website provides information on learning disabilities and difficulties (how to identify, specific types – ADD, etc).
• Something Fishy- This website is dedicated to raising awareness and providing support to those impacted by eating disorders.   It is an excellent source of information and support.